She may not be the most imposing of creatures.
But when it comes to courage, Dotty the donkey more than makes up for it.
For when a vicious dog sank its teeth into her defenceless stablemate, Stanley the sheep, she instantly leapt into action to save him.
Hero of the day: Dotty the donkey has been awarded the PDSA Certificate for Animal Bravery after she courageously fought off a frenzied pitbull which was attacking Stanley the sheep
After galloping across the paddock, she let out ‘a screech of rage’ before pinning the ferocious pitbull terrier to the ground.
She then chased the dog out of the field before returning to nurse her injured companion. Farmer Ann Rogers, 63, who witnessed the rescue, said: ‘She just sprang into action.
‘The dog had its jaws clamped around Stanley. Dotty was behind in close pursuit.
‘Seconds later, she jumped off the bank she was on and with a screech of rage pinned the dog to the ground. Dotty clamped her teeth around the dog’s back and was biting down hard for a couple of minutes.
‘Eventually the pain must have become too much and the dog ran off.’
That's what friends are for: Dotty and Stanley have become inseparable and now share a stable. According to the PDSA, donkeys are naturally stoical and protective animals
The pitbull, which also bit two horses in the face at the farm in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was later put down.
Stanley lost two teeth and suffered facial paralysis in the attack two years ago, but yesterday was with Dotty, 12, as she was honoured with a bravery award by a charity, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.
The pair met five years ago when Mrs Rogers rescued a frail Dotty tethered at the roadside.
She already had Stanley, an orphaned newborn.
Elaine Pendlebury, senior veterinary surgeon at PDSA, said: ‘Donkeys are very stoical and protective. Dotty showed herself to be a true protector of her family and her bravery saved Stanley.
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